mp24957 Chaplain Mag Summer 2005 new.p65 - Chaplains service

SPECIAL WORD FROM THE
CHIEF OF THE
SANDF
Gen Godfrey Ngwenya - Chief of the SANDF
I thank the Chaplain General and his Division for giving me this
opportunity to comment about the value-adding ministry of the chaplains
through the medium of their publication, The Military Chaplain. South
Africa is a religious country with a wealth of different religions. Our
soldiers as part of this religious nation, reflect this religious diversity
within the military environment, therefore religion is an important
component of the religious life of our soldiers.
The Chaplains Service, giving spiritual and moral support to members
of the Department of Defence (DOD), plays an important role in this
regard. For me the primary role of the Chaplains Service is to support
our members and their families during deployment. Our chaplains must
be with us wherever we deploy. At this moment I recognize the good
work they are doing in the deployment areas (of peace operations) such
as Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Sudan.
This confirms the mandate of the Chaplains Service to focus on deployed
soldiers and their families. I also recognize that over and above the normal
ministry support, the Chaplains Service provides support to our
Commanders on religious issues and offer moral and ethical guidance to
all members of the DOD.
An important area of chaplains’ contribution to the DOD is the Chaplain
Gen HIV & AIDS value-based programme. This programme which was
launched by the then Deputy Minister of Defence Ms Nozizwe Madlala-
Routlege on 27 November 2002 grew from strength to strength. This
was epitomized by the results of the research conducted by the Military
Psychological Institute (MPI) last year which revealed that the value
based approach to the fight against HIV & AIDS is making a difference
in the lives of our members. It is also good to me that we are supporting
other government departments (eg. SAPS) and other militaries in the
region with the programme.
The SADC region is very important for us as a country. I recognize that
our chaplains play a vital role in the region as chair of the Spiritual and
Moral Support Sub Sub Work Group (SMSSSWG) of the Interstate
Defence and Security Council (ISDSC). The Chaplains Service should
ensure, with their colleagues of other countries, that all our members are
well supported.
It is good to mention that our Chaplains Service is among leading
Divisions of the DOD when coming to transformation. To a great extent,
they have already satisfied the requirements of the Defence Review of
1997.
In the light of the above, the Chaplains Service’s contribution in this
Department is highly appreciated. I wish the Chaplains Service God’s
blessings to their valuable contribution in this department. May I take
this opportunity to wish them and everyone in this department a blessed,
happy and safe festive season as well as a prosperous new year.
CHAPLAIN
GENERAL’S
CORNER
Brig Gen (Rev) Marius Cornelissen
Chaplain General SANDF
The summer edition of our magazine indicates in its name that 2005 is over.
May I therefore start off by wishing each of our readers a blessed Christmas
time and may God protect and guide all of us in the New Year.
Looking back over 2005, one realises that the 143 Regular and 237 Reserve
Chaplains rendered a service over a wide area of religious support to the
members of the Department of Defence. Over and above all the tasks done,
the following are the highlights of the year:
The support and work of our chaplains in deployments. This is and
will always be one of our most important core functions – giving
special attention in spiritual and moral support to all our deployed
members and their families. I thank every chaplain for his or her
dedicated hard work and support to our members on and during
deployments. I know that each one of you walked the extra mile in
rendering this support to commanders and members.
The support in prevention of and caring for those affected and infected
with HIV & AIDS. As in the previous two years the main focus of this
programme was to teach people the skills in value-based, ethical decision
making - especially in relationships. This programme was extended with
a second programme where all chaplains were trained in giving pastoral
care and support to members infected and affected during all stages of
their illness. We trust that our combined efforts with the DOD’s
Masibambisane project will ensure good care and results.
A good covenantal relationship with Religious Bodies. As the extension
of the work of Religious Bodies and Churches, the Chaplains Service
worked very hard on maintaining an open and conducive relationship
with the different religious and church bodies. Different meetings with
religious bodies were held and a number of synods and church meetings
were addressed on the work of the Chaplains Service. We appreciate
this relationship (and support) ensuring that all the members in the
department are spiritually and morally supported both in deployments
and at their homes.
Refocusing of our Service on new long-term goals. This was one of our
main drives this year. The result of the process that started in November
last year was that we have six new core objectives (as depicted on the
first page of the magazine) that will guide us for the next few years. Out
of these core objectives, we subsequently decided to over and above
our normal spiritual and moral support, focus on the following issues
for 2006;
• A crisis centre for members of the department
• A chaplains’ resilience programme (to support our deployed
members and their families)
• A chaplains’ care for the care-giver and mentorship programme.
• A conference with all churches/religious bodies on moral
regeneration
• A chaplains’ enrichment programme which on a monthly basis will
address pertinent ethical, theological and moral issues in the
department.
Lastly I want to thank all chaplains for their loyalty, dedication and hard
work during the year. This is what we are called to do in serving God and
the people of our country.
May all our readers enjoy the blessings of the Christmas period and prosperity
for the new year.
May God bless you all.
The Military Chaplain - SANDF 3